Panama Photos: Bocas del Toro's Beaches, Jungles and Hotels

Panamanian Paradise

The rain forest meets the Caribbean Sea on Isla Bastimentos, one of nine inhabited islands in the Bocas del Toro archipelago. There are also about 300 tiny islets, perfect for exploring by kayak.

Panamanian Paradise

Because most of the archipelago has no reliable electricity, ecolodges such as Casa Cayuco rely on solar power and rainwater-catchment systems. Her swimsuit by Lilibon ($300) and hat by Scala Pronto (800-376-3626; $27).

Upping the Ante

The small lodges of the Bocas del Toro archipelago are bent on making their corner of the Caribbean a true foodie destination. Meals are a main event at La Loma Jungle Lodge, on Isla Bastimentos.

Upping the Ante

For the local Ngöbe-Buglé kids, Casa Cayuco’s friendly English bulldog, Angus, remains an acquired taste.

Upping the Ante

Upping the Ante

Being miles from the nearest market encourages local sourcing; these ginger flowers grow at La Loma.

Don't Rock the Boat

Most places in the archipelago are best reached by boat, like this traditional dugout, called a cayuco. The nine thousand Ngöbe-Buglé people who inhabit the islands rely on subsistence agriculture and fishing and have thus far been resistant to large-scale tourist development.

Let the Sun Shine In

A curtain is all that separates you from the rain forest in each of the four hillside ranchos at La Loma (don’t worry, the bed has a mosquito net). Her dresses by Miguelina ($195–$235) and shoes by Joie a la Plage ($115).

Let the Sun Shine In

The solar-powered La Loma asks guests to charge their phones only on sunny days. Wild flowers such as this heliconia are native to Isla Bastimentos.

Locavores Lunch

Guests at La Loma having a meal of carrot, cumin, and ginger salad, followed by johnnycakes, washed down with raspadura lemonade.

Bocas Pleasures

A Ngöbe-Buglé woman rolling out cacao beans at La Loma, where capuchin monkeys snack on the cacao trees.

Bocas Pleasures

Guava jam thumbprint cookies.

Bocas Pleasures

A water taxi—one of dozens that transport visitors around the archipelago for a few dollars—seen from the Hotel Bocas del Toro’s restaurant deck.